Beyoncé makes history as most-nominated artist ever with leading 2025 Grammy nods

Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy Award nominations with 11 nods, setting a historic record with 99 career nominations, making her the most-nominated artist in Grammy history. Her album, Cowboy Carter, is up for both Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year, making her a standout nominee across genres like pop, country, Americana, and melodic rap. If Beyoncé wins Album of the Year, she’ll be the first Black woman to win this category in the 21st century. The last Black woman to take this award was Lauryn Hill in 1999 for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Beyoncé’s vast Grammy success showcases her genre-crossing influence, and her nominations in the country and Americana categories are a first for her, underscoring the Recording Academy's recognition of her evolving musical journey.

Notably, Beyoncé previously shared the record for most Grammy nominations with her husband, Jay-Z, both holding 88 nominations. This year, she surpassed that mark, and her newest nominations include nods for Texas Hold ’Em, which is up for Record, Song, and Country Song of the Year. This diversity in categories reflects the impact of Beyoncé’s musical exploration and positions her as a frontrunner for the upcoming Grammy Awards.

Rising stars and genre diversity in 2025 nominations

This year’s Grammy nominations highlight genre diversity, with rising artists like Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and Charli XCX among the top contenders. Post Malone, with seven nominations, enters the country categories for the first time with his album *F-1 Trillion* and his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, *I Had Some Help*, marking Wallen’s debut Grammy nomination. Kendrick Lamar follows closely with nominations for his diss track *Not Like Us*, which is up for Record, Song, and Music Video of the Year, alongside nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. This is his third time receiving multiple nominations in the rap categories, establishing him as a staple in the rap scene.

Taylor Swift and newcomers Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan received six nominations each. Notably, Eilish becomes the only artist to receive Album of the Year nominations for her first three albums, an impressive feat for the young artist. Swift, who won Album of the Year last year for *Midnights*, now holds the record for the most wins in this category, making her the first woman with seven career nominations for Album of the Year. These achievements spotlight women’s continued prominence in major Grammy categories, albeit this year’s nominations focus on variety across genres more than gender representation.

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This year’s Album of the Year nominees include André 3000’s *New Blue Sun*, Jacob Collier’s *Djesse Vol. 4*, Sabrina Carpenter’s *Short n’ Sweet*, and Roan’s *The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess*. Swift’s *The Tortured Poets Department*, Eilish’s *Hit Me Hard and Soft*, and Charli XCX’s *BRAT* round out the category. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, highlighted the intentional efforts to balance the Academy’s membership, aiming to enhance representation across gender, race, and genre, which he believes has enriched this year’s nominations.

Post Malone and new trends

Post Malone’s foray into country music reflects his evolving artistic style. His *F-1 Trillion* received nods in the country categories, marking a shift in the Academy’s openness to genre-crossing works. Kendrick Lamar also made headlines, with *Not Like Us* nominated in multiple rap categories, a first for the artist. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s seventh Album of the Year nomination solidifies her status, showcasing her consistent impact on the music industry. Other notable names include Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and RAYE in the Best New Artist category, indicating a promising future for these young talents.

In Song of the Year, Beyoncé’s *Birds of a Feather* competes against Swift’s *Fortnight*, Carpenter’s *Please Please Please*, Lamar’s *Not Like Us*, and Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ *Die With A Smile*. This category also includes Eilish, Roan, and Post Malone, highlighting a rich mix of established and emerging artists. Shaboozey’s *A Bar Song (Tipsy)* leads the Billboard Hot 100 and is also up for Song of the Year, with its remix nominated in the Best Remixed Recording category. Shaboozey also collaborates on Beyoncé’s *SPAGHETTII*, featuring Linda Martell, the first Black woman to achieve commercial success in country music, who receives her first Grammy nomination at 83 years old.

Record of the Year sees a strong lineup, with Beyoncé’s *Texas Hold ’Em* competing against Swift and Malone’s *Fortnight*, Eilish’s *Birds of a Father*, Lamar’s *Not Like Us*, and Charli XCX’s *360*. The Beatles’ *Now and Then*, an AI-assisted track, also appears in the category, with Mason acknowledging the importance of adapting to new technologies like AI while ensuring proper eligibility.

Legacy artists and ongoing challenges

Dolly Parton secured her 55th Grammy nomination in the audiobook, narration, and storytelling category for her work *Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones*. Upon hearing the news, Parton expressed her gratitude, humorously noting that she thought her rock album might be recognized. The 2025 Grammy Awards provide a platform for legendary artists like Parton and rising stars alike, acknowledging the spectrum of contributions across generations.

One notable absence is Latin music, which, despite its popularity and streaming growth in the U.S., is underrepresented in major categories. Additionally, only four entries are listed in the Best Música Mexicana Album category, while K-pop, another globally popular genre, also lacks nominations, with no solo nods for BTS members who released material in 2024. Mason expressed the Academy’s intention to improve inclusivity, noting the ongoing need to ensure representation across all musical styles and regions.

The Grammy Awards ceremony, airing on February 2, 2025, from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, promises a night of musical celebration and potential surprises. Final voting for the awards will occur between December 12 and January 3, making it a competitive season for artists. With Beyoncé’s landmark nominations, genre diversity, and calls for broader inclusion, the 2025 Grammy Awards set a promising stage for music’s brightest stars.